FAWC! selling out faster than ever

Tickets to this year's Summer F.A.W.C! are selling faster than ever. PHOTO / PAUL TAYLOR

Tickets to this year's Summer FAWC! series are going fast, organisers say, with food lovers urged to get in quick before the most mouth-watering events sell out.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said 800 tickets were sold during last Friday's pre-sale, which was "more than we've ever sold" on an opening day.

About 1500 more had been sold since general sales opened last Saturday, with 13 of the 65 events already sold out, Ms Dundas said. There were also nine other events with "very few tickets left".

In particularly hot demand, but not yet sold out, was the Sunday Savour at Elephant Hill Winery, a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting set among the winery's picturesque vines.

Also sure to be a favourite was Trinity Hillbillies at Trinity Hill, a "Southern flavoured bonfire hoedown" featuring Buffalo wings, ribs and live country music.

Also said to be "always phenomenal" was Seafood Legacy at Vidal Estate Winery Restaurant, which sees fresh seafood matched with the Vidal Legacy Chardonnay.

One of the series' official ambassadors, celebrity chef Ray McVinnie, will be back in the hot seat this summer, hosting many of the decadent events.

The series' launch party would take a different turn this year, with a "low key set-up" being moved from Craggy Range Vineyards to Black Barn Vineyards, and a significantly lower entry fee of $45.

Ms Dundas said soaring ticket sales were indicative of the FAWC! series' increasing publicity, nationally and abroad.

"We've had great international media coverage over the past three years from Australia and the US - it's building every year."

Summer FAWC! runs for 10 days from November 6-15, with more than 60 events in the schedule.

For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www.fawc.co.nz.